A sprained ankle isn’t as severe as a full-on break, but it is still painful and inconvenient. While every injury requires individual care, there are three main kinds of sprains you should know about. Below is some information about each one to help you identify the severity of your injury.

3 Types of Sprained Ankles

1. First Degree

With a sprained ankle, the actual bone connecting the lower leg to the foot is unharmed. The problem is with the ligaments surrounding the bones. Ligaments are the stretchy fibers that support the joints in the body. They ease movement and flexibility, but they could be stretched too far, resulting in an ankle sprain. A first-degree sprain is when the ligaments are stretched but not torn. It comes with mild pain, stiffness, and possible swelling.

2. Second Degree

The slightly more severe second-degree sprained is when the ligaments surrounding the joint are partially torn. It comes with moderate pain and significant swelling. There may also be bruising around the ankle joint. Walking becomes difficult without limping. More intense movements, like running and jumping, cause serious pain.

3. Third Degree

In this scenario, the ligament has been torn completely through. Putting any weight on the foot is extremely painful. There’s also a dramatic loss of motion and flexibility. All this is accompanied with severe swelling, bruising, and pain.

The next task to do with any of these injuries is the RICE method—rest, ice, compression, and elevate. Once you’ve taken those steps, call the podiatrist for further help with your sprained ankle. St. Peters Foot & Ankle: Samual T. Wood-DPM in Saint Peters and Florissant, MO, offers quality podiatry care for patients throughout St. Charles County. Schedule an appointment by calling (636) 720-0190 for the Saint Peters location or (314) 921-1020 for the Florissant office. You’ll also learn more about their services on their website.